Local officials of Jawzjan province confirmed that a 19-year-old girl was found dead in the province on Monday. While the local police have not yet discovered the cause of the girl's death, foul play is suspected.

"The body was found at her home. No one has been arrested yet. The police have started investigating the incident," Mr.Jawzjani said.

Officials of the Provincial Human Rights Department (PHRD) said that this year 16 cases of similar mysterious deaths have been registered. Reportedly, a majority of the cases related to violence against women have come out of the northern region of Afghanistan.